Thursday NFL Kickoff: Recent Champs, Contrasting Styles

Hope your fantasy lineups are set, because tomorrow marks the return of NFL football.  No, tomorrow isn't Sunday; it's Thursday.  But the NFL has made a recent habit of starting the season during the week, and Thursday games have become so popular that there will be one per week throughout the season.  And tomorrow's season opener is a good one: the Green Bay Packers at the Seattle Seahawks.

What makes this match up such a perfect primetime event?  Well first, these are two of the best franchises in the league.  The Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champions, and the Packers are just 3 years removed from their last title.  One also can't forget the last time these two squared off.  Seattle defeated Green Bay in 2012 on a Hail Mary pass that appeared to be intercepted by the Packers in the endzone.  However, one ref signaled for a TD, claiming Seahawks receiver Golden Tate had one hand on the ball, thus indicating possession and therefore a TD.  These were not regular refs, as the usual crews were locked out due to a labor dispute.  The incident came to define the ineptitude of replacement refs and put a quick end to the lockout.  The win helped Seattle earn a playoff spot and can be seen as the catalyst for their recent run of success.

The game will also create a clash of styles for the two teams.  In many ways, it's a classic offense vs defense match up.  The Packers have one of the most prolific passing attacks on the league, led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a receiving corps that includes talent like Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson.  Last season, the Pack added a ground threat to their game with running backs Eddie Lacy and James Stark.  The Seahawks won the title last season largely due to having one of the best defenses in the league.  The "Legion of Boom" is loaded with stars like Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. They talk a ton of trash, but have the savvy and skill to back it up.  Offesnsively, the 'Hawks prefer to run the ball with Marshawn Lynch, but quarterback Russell Wilson is more than capable of leading a two-minute drill.

The game will be played at Seattle's CenturyLink Field, which has become famous for it's raucous crowd, known as the 12th Man.  Seattle fans pride themselves on causing opponents to false start.  The atmosphere will be even more electric as the team will unveil their first championship banner tomorrow.

The Packers have a talented team that could very well compete for all the marbles this season, but they are not going into THAT stadium and beating THAT team.  Seahawks win, 31-27.

The NFL is back! Football is now on continuously Thursday-Monday every week until December.  Enjoy!